Halyards

[Gene]

Have aquired my first boat, a 1981 27' which has wire to rope halyards. Should they be replaced with rope?

 

[John Eastin]

Mine Are Like That

I have a C27 and when we purchased it, it came with wire to rope halyards. The jury seems to be out on this one. We have not had any problem with ours but I suspect we will go to rope only when it is time to replace them.

 

[Echo Gulf]

What a pain!!

Ours are like that too, I can't wait to change them they are constantly getting caught between the shrouds and the mast especially when we are in a panic to douse the main sail. All our lines are led aft in an effort to reduce the need to go on deck, especially in bad weather, not until the rope to steel junction is gone will that be accomplished. I understand why they a made like that, but with todays low stretch lines, such as "Spectra", there should be little need for steel lines.

 

[Michael McCann]

Wire to Rope Halyards

Gene:If they are the type that Catalina used to put on, with the rope tied to a thimble swaged in the end of the wire, replace them with a good low stretch line. If you are just a cruising type of sailor, Sta-Set X is a good choice. If you are more into racing go with one of the lower stretch lines with "Spectra", or whatever they are calling it. If you don't mind tensioning the sails a little after sailing awhile, any dacron double braid will do fine. Michael